Glass and toothbrush sterilization and supporting attachment

ABSTRACT

Device in the form of a wall mounted attachment for storing and sanitizing one or more drinking glasses, toothbrushes, and the like. The device comprises a plate adapted for horizontal positioning on a wall and containing an opening or receptacle receiving a drinking glass and also containing a plurality of openings or retainers for supporting toothbrushes alongside the drinking glass. A hinged cover member is fixedly mounted for removable positioning over the glass. A replaceable, flat, disinfecting cartridge is mounted within the cover member so as to contact the entire rim of the glass. The hinged feature provides for easy removal of the drinking glass and brushes simply by tilting back the cover. The disinfectant cartridge is impregnated with a volatile antiseptic compound which acts to sanitize not only the rim of the glass in contact with it but also the interior of the glass. The cover including the cartridge may also be shaped to extend outward over the toothbrushes as well as the glass or glasses so as to provide a sanitizing effect to the glass and brushes at the same time and also to the horizontal plate on which they are supported.

United States Patent [191 Doucette Y S [4 1 Feb. 18,1975

Carl J. Doucette, 1649 Sarah Dr., Pinole, Calif. 94564 22 Filed: Dec. 21, 1973 [21 Appl. No.: 427,112

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 21/78, 2l/58, 2l/77, 21/83, 21/103, 21/105, 49/389, 206/205,

[51] Int. Cl A611 1/00, A611 3/00, A611 9/04 [58] Field of Search 21/78, 83, 103-105, 21/109; 49/389; 21/77, 58; 206/205, 209;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 307,230 10/1884 Schuler 239/57 1,149,890 8/1915 Behrendt 21/108 1,162,237 11/1915 l-lipolito 49/389 1,462,693 7/1923 Fischer 21/108 1,486,957 3/1924 England 21/82 R 1,552,877 9/1925 Phillipps et a1. 21/108 1,727,176 9/1929 Phillips 21/83 2,028,256 l/l936 Stevens et al 21/78 2,425,579 8/1947 Toombs 21/83 Primary Examiner-Barry S. Richman Assistant Examiner-Dale Lovercheck Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph B. Gardner [57] ABSTRACT Device in the form of a wall mounted attachment for storing and sanitizing one or more drinking glasses, toothbrushes, and the like. The device comprises a plate adapted for horizontal positioning on a wall and containing an opening or receptacle receiving a drinking glass and also containing a plurality of openings or retainers for supporting toothbrushes alongside the drinking glass. A hinged cover member is fixedly mounted for removable positioning over the glass. A replaceable, flat, disinfecting cartridge is mounted within the cover member so as to contact the entire rim of the glass. The hinged feature provides for easy removal of the drinking glass and brushes simply by tilting back the cover. The disinfectant cartridge is impregnated with a volatile antiseptic compound which acts to sanitize not only the rim of the glass in contact with it but also the interior of the glass. The cover including the cartridge may also be shaped to extend outward over the toothbrushes as well as the glass or glasses so as to provide a sanitizing effect to the glass and brushes at the same time and also to the horizontal plate on which they are supported.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 1 8197.3

SHEH 2 BF 2 FIG..

m i-Ii GLASS AND TOOTHBRUSH STERILIZATION-AND SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT While it is customary for members of a family to use individual toothbrushes, all members who share a bathroom usually share a single drinking glass. Typically, the glass is used by each person while brushing his teeth and then is placed back in a cabinet or special wall rack without washing, especially in the case with children, the effect being to neutralize any benefits of sanitation achieved by keeping separate toothbrushes.

A further sanitation problem arises when the toothbrushes are stored on a single rack in close proximity to one another as is commonly done. Small children whose unwashed hands may have been in contact with household pets, dirt from floors, etc., will frequently rub their fingers against other peoples toothbrushes in the process of trying to withdraw or replace their own brush in or out of a rack. They also seldom replace their own brush in the same slot or the rack after each use so that eventually all portions of the rack become exposed to whatever foreign matter the children may have caused to accumulate on the rack.

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary and convenient device for storing and disinfecting a drinking glass or glasses commonly shared by several members of a typical family in home bathrooms. Another object of the invention is to provide for sanitary storage of toothbrushes particularly where several brushes are kept in close proximity to one another when not in use.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become apparent from the following specification. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drinking glass and toothbrush sterilization or disinfecting device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. I but with parts partially cut away to show the otherwise hidden portions.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view of the device taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view in elevation of the device taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a disinfecting cartridge used with the device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a somewhat modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the device of the invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are vertical sectional views of the device taken along the lines 8-8 and 9-9 respectively of FIG. 7. As previously explained, the attachment or device embodying the present invention is of the type usually mounted on a wall and close to the water basin in the bathroom of a dwelling and used for supporting a drinking glass and one or more toothbrushes. One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, and includes a support 12 here shown in the form of a bracket having a shelf portion 13 and an angular bracket 14 depending from the rear edge of the shelf. The bracket is formed with holes for receiving screws 16 for attaching the support to the wall. A cavity or an opening 17 is provided in the shelf to receive a drinking glass 18 and openings 19 are provided adjacent the edges of the shelfsuitable for receiving and storing toothbrushes. The description so far is applicable to most attachments of this nature.

Generally, the one support is used by several members of the same household and it is common for all to use the same glass for drinking or rinsing the mouth and for storing the toothbrushes after each use. Further. particularly of children, the glass may not be rinsed after use nor the brushes cleaned. Thus, the continued use of the glass and brushes without cleansing render them subject to the accumulation of undesirable foreign matter. It is a main purpose of the present invention to eliminate this undesirable occurrence with practically no effort on the part of the: users. Arranged for positioning over the glass and brushes is a casing 20 forming the major part of a cover member 21. Contained in the casing is a soft plastic pad 22 impregnated with a non-toxic fairly volatile chemical substance having sterilizing and disinfecting properties which will be expended on objects near or in contact therewith. Examples'of chemical compositions for use in the cartridge are benzylalkyammoniumhydrochloride, dilute solution of iodine complex and chlorine water; these compositions have the property particularly when moisture is present to release'the volatile gases desired. The pad constitutes a replaceable cartridge which is insertable in the casing through the slot 23 inside the casing. Preferably, the casing is practically the same size and form as the shelf and when in operational position over the glass and brushes, the broad sides of the casing and shelf are in opposed parallel vertically aligned relation, thus producing a rather pleasing aesthetic affect, as will be evident from FIG. 1.

The underside of the casing is provided with an opening 24 so as to expose the cartridge for direct contact with the entire rim of the glass when the casing is sufficiently lowered upon the shelf. Means are provided for securing the casing to the support or to an associated fixed part, for movement from a position removed from over the glass and brushes so that the glass and the brushes may be removed from or replaced on the shelf, to a position in which the casing is lowered upon the shelf with the rim of the glass extending into the opening 24 and in full contactwith the cartridge 22.

Fixedly secured to the rear edge of the casing is one of the leaves 26 of a hinge 25, the leaf 26 being pivotally connected to the other leaf 27 which is arranged for removable connection with the support. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connection between the leaf 27 and the support is provided by forming the leaf for the most part in the shape of a tongue 28 which is designed for insertion in a vertical slot or socket 29 extending through the rear portion of the shelf 13 of the support and being open at least at the upper end for entry of the tongue. Desirably, the free end of tongue is rounded to permit ready entrance of the tongue in the socket.

As will be understood, the hinge connection permits the cover member to be readily swung from an inactive upright position indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, to a lowered position with the disinfecting cartridge engaging the rim of the glass thereunder. It is to be noted that the top of the glass determines the lower position of the cover member and since it is desirable that the cartridge make full contact with the top of the glass which is normally in a horizontal plane, the tongue is arranged for vertically adjustable positioning in the socket so that the height of the pivot pin may be set as desired to ensure proper contact of the cartridge with the glass. The adjustable positioning of the pivotal connection between the hinge leaves is also advantageous, such as when the drinking glass has been broken and a new and different size and form of glass is substituted and the height of the glass above the shelf is changed. As will be evident, the height of the glass positioned in the opening 17 of the shelf is determined by the point of engagement of the sides of the glass with the sides of the opening and height of the glass above the opening. One method of adjusting the height of the tongue in the socket is by providing for desired friction-tight engagement of the tongue with the surfaces of the socket. In this manner, the tongue may be fixedly positioned to cause the cover member to be in horizontal position when the cartridge is in full engagement with the rim of the glass. An alternative means of adjusting the height and retaining the proper positioning of the pivot pin is afforded by means of a screw 30 engaging in a vertical slot 31 in the bracket 14; when the tongue has been correctly positioned in the socket, the screw is raised to engage under the bottom of the tongue and tighten thus not only the pivot pin at the desired height but locking the tongue in position against the support bracket 14. in this manner, the cover member may be raised to allow removal of the glass, or lowered to return the cartridge to engage the rim of the glass with a mere flip of the hand, and the hinge axis will be kept in proper position notwithstanding any rough treatment of the device.

Since the sterilizing cartridge is practically enclosed on all sides and top, and also the bottom except for the portion for the reception of the rim of the glass, the cartridge will be fully protected from contact by hands of the person raising or lowering the cover member. The casing is provided with small vent openings in the top wall, and the cartridge is formed with a central opening 33 which is smaller than the bottom opening in the casing. Since the casing is thus fairly closed, the volatile gases from the sterilizing cartridge will not only come in contact with the rim of the glass but will enter the interior of the glass and thus provide for sterilization of the interior walls. At the same time, the gases from the glass may ultimately discharge by way of the opening 33 and vent openings 32 and thus insure a more or less continuous circulation of fresh gas in the casing and later release of the gas to the exterior.

As will be seen from HO. 3 of the drawings, the vertical space in the casing for housing the cartridge is greater than the thickness of the cartridge. in this way, in event the cover member should for any reason assume the low position in which the cartridge is not in full horizontal position for engagement with the rim of the glass, the cartridge may tilt sufficiently to cause the bottom of the cartridge to be flat in the rim. Desirably, the bottom wall of the casing will extend lower than the bottom of the cartridge, inner edges of same wall will be spaced from the sides of the glass so that the exterior surface of the outer side of the rim wall will receive the direct sterilizing effect of the cartridge.

Opposite each side of the opening 17 for the drinking glass, there is provided on the shelf 13 a plurality of smaller openings 19 for receiving and supporting toothbrushes, here indicated by the reference numeral 34. Each line of openings extend from adjacent the front to near the rear of the shelf. Any number of such openings 19 may obviously be provided; however, with the arrangement depicted, sterilization of the brushes may be accommodated by merely making the casing and cartridge including the opening 24 wide enough so that when the casing is lowered over the drinking glass it will also extend over and in immediate proximity to the bristles of the toothbrushes. Access to the brushes for removal or replacement thereof is thus afforded in the same manner as for the drinking glass. Merely lowering the casing with cartridge over the glass and the toothbrushes is all that is required for continuous sterilization of the glass and brushes.

in FIG. 6 is shown an arrangement incorporating the sterilizing features of present invention in existing forms of drinking glass and toothbrush support bracket commonly installed in bathrooms. This simply requires detaching the existing bracket 35 from the wall on which it is mounted and then introducing a spacer 36 between thhe wall and the downwardly extending attaching portion 37 of the bracket and then replacing the screws 38 previously removed, the insert having been provided with holes to accommodate the screws. The spacer is formed with a socket or slot 39 in which the tongue of the hinge leaf 28 of the cover member is inserted and held in the same manner as in the previously described embodiment.

in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the design and construction of the device is such that toothbrushes, at least the brush heads, will be separately held in enclosures in which the gases from the sterilizing cartridge will enter and thoroughly sterilize the brushes in the enclosures. At the same time, the access to the brushes for removal from the enclosures or replacement therein is readily permitted as with the drinking glass. In this embodiment, instead of the brushes being simply positioned in and removed from holes in the shelf of the support, there is provided short tubes 40 which are provided with reduced open tubular extensions 41 formed to fit, preferably removable, in holes 44 in the shelf 43. The tubes are short enough so that the open top of the rim of the tubes will engage with the sterilizing cartridge when the latter engages the rim of the drinking glass. The brushes are inserted in the tubes from the top of the tubes, the handles being left to extend from the bottom of the tubes while the brush heads remain within the upper portion of the tubes which is in direct contact or communication with the cartridge. As will be evident, the brush heads will be thus exposed to the gases of the sterilizing cartridge and subjected to thorough sterilization while retained in tubes with the cover lowered thereover. in view of the open bottom of the tubes discharge of the gases in the tubes may be readily effective and fresh air drawn. Preferably, the drinking glass in this embodiment is formed with an annular shoulder 42 which will cause the glass to fit in the glass-receiving opening to position the rim of the glass at the same height as the top of the tubes, thus insuring firm and low contact of the cartridge with the rims of both the tubes and glass. One or more vent openings 45 and 46 respectively may be provided in the cartridge and top wall of the casing for communication with the interior of the tubes.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for sanitizing a drinking glass and the like comprising: a support for releasably retaining a drinking glass in a fixed position with the rim uppermost and above said support; a cover member movable from a lower position over the rim of the drinking glass toa raised position removed therefrom and permitting removal of the drinking glass from said support; hinge means having a hinge pin and a pair of hinge leaves pivotally connected by said pin, one of said leaves being secured to the cover member, said support having a socket for releasable reception of the other leaf of the hinge; means for simultaneously retaining said other leaf in a selected vertical position in said socket and for fixing the distance between said support and said cover member wherein various sized drinking glasses are held in the device and a disinfecting cartridge releasably carried by said cover member and having a portion thereof positioned to engage the rim of the drinking glass when said cover member is in its lower position.

2. A device for supporting and sanitizing a drinking glass or the like in accordance with claim 1, in which said support is provided at the rear thereof with an angular extension means to fasten the extension to a wall to position the support in substantially flat outwardly extending relation to the wall.

3. A device for supporting and sanitizing drinking glasses, toothbrushes, and the like in accordance with claim 1 and including a plurality of vertical toothbrush retaining tubes each open at each end, and supported on said support with the upper open ends generally aligned transversely with the rim of the drinking glass; said support providing a plurality of openings such that a portion of each toothbrush extends below said support through said openings, said cartridge simulta' neously engaging said open tops of the tubes and the rim of the drinking glass when said cover is in its lower position and simultaneously released from the tubes and glass when said cover is in its upper position.

4. A device for sanitizing a drinking glass and the like in accordance with claim land in which the cover member is provided with top and bottom walls spaced apart and with the bottom wall having an opening large enough to receive the rim of the glass, the cartridge being contained within and displaceable vertically in the cover member and fully overlapping the perimeter of said opening; and the cover member covering said cartridge having a slot in a wall thereof through which the cartridge may be inserted into or withdrawn from the cover member.

5. A device in accordance with claim 47in which the top wall of the cover member is perforated above the area containing the disinfecting cartridge; and said cartridge being in the form of a pad of soft and flexible material and impregnated with an anti-toxic sanitizing chemical compound having volatile components, said pad having a opening such that the volatile components may pass there through and through said perforated cover member. 

1. A device for sanitizing a drinking glass and the like comprising: a support for releasably Retaining a drinking glass in a fixed position with the rim uppermost and above said support; a cover member movable from a lower position over the rim of the drinking glass to a raised position removed therefrom and permitting removal of the drinking glass from said support; hinge means having a hinge pin and a pair of hinge leaves pivotally connected by said pin, one of said leaves being secured to the cover member, said support having a socket for releasable reception of the other leaf of the hinge; means for simultaneously retaining said other leaf in a selected vertical position in said socket and for fixing the distance between said support and said cover member wherein various sized drinking glasses are held in the device and a disinfecting cartridge releasably carried by said cover member and having a portion thereof positioned to engage the rim of the drinking glass when said cover member is in its lower position.
 2. A device for supporting and sanitizing a drinking glass or the like in accordance with claim 1, in which said support is provided at the rear thereof with an angular extension means to fasten the extension to a wall to position the support in substantially flat outwardly extending relation to the wall.
 3. A device for supporting and sanitizing drinking glasses, toothbrushes, and the like in accordance with claim 1 and including a plurality of vertical toothbrush retaining tubes each open at each end, and supported on said support with the upper open ends generally aligned transversely with the rim of the drinking glass; said support providing a plurality of openings such that a portion of each toothbrush extends below said support through said openings, said cartridge simultaneously engaging said open tops of the tubes and the rim of the drinking glass when said cover is in its lower position and simultaneously released from the tubes and glass when said cover is in its upper position.
 4. A device for sanitizing a drinking glass and the like in accordance with claim 1 and in which the cover member is provided with top and bottom walls spaced apart and with the bottom wall having an opening large enough to receive the rim of the glass, the cartridge being contained within and displaceable vertically in the cover member and fully overlapping the perimeter of said opening; and the cover member covering said cartridge having a slot in a wall thereof through which the cartridge may be inserted into or withdrawn from the cover member.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 4 in which the top wall of the cover member is perforated above the area containing the disinfecting cartridge; and said cartridge being in the form of a pad of soft and flexible material and impregnated with an anti-toxic sanitizing chemical compound having volatile components, said pad having a opening such that the volatile components may pass there through and through said perforated cover member. 